Foundation samples - Estee Lauder and MAC

8.2.12

So, a few posts ago I mentioned that I had picked up some foundation samples from MAC and Estee Lauder. After a few days trying them out, I decided on what one to purchase. The samples I tried out were MAC's Pro-longwear and Studio Sculpt, both in NC15, and also Estee Lauder's Double Wear foundation in Ecru.

Needless to say the MAC sample is much more attractively presented. I'm pretty sure Estee Lauder own MAC so I was a little disappointed with the effort put in to the Double Wear sample pot compared to the way that MAC presents it's samples...

My initial impression of the Double Wear foundation was quite negative - upon decanting a little of the liquid onto the back of my hand I instantly thought it was far to dark and warm for my skin tone!I was quite disappointed as I had heard such brilliant things about this foundation and I always seem to have trouble finding the right shade for my skin (I'm quite pale and have a cool / neutral-ish tone to my skin, making most MAC shades not ideal due to their lack of neutral shades- yet to try out Matchmaster foundation- but this issue is bearable!).

The Studio Sculpt foundation instantly felt too hydrating for my skin type. It's gel formula was probably not going to be the best for my skin, which becomes quite oily in places throughout the day. The retail artist in MAC had advised me to give it a go if I liked the coverage of Studio Fix. I had initially just asked for Pro-longwear, but she noticed that my foundation was medium / full coverage and claimed that Pro-longwear couldn't achieve this. Both colours are quite similar, as shown below, but as with many foundations the colour (ie. NC15) does often vary ever so slightly, even though they are made by the same brand - so it's always a good idea to get a sample to see how it suits your colouring!

Pro-longwear seemed a much better formula for my skin. It blended better with my skin colour compared to Double Wear when I swatched it on the back of my hand. However, it did seem to provide less coverage than what I am used to.

Swatches in daylight L-R Studio Sculpt, Pro-longwear and Double Wear

I applied Studio Sculpt to my skin first, as I wanted to rule it our as an option before trying the other two. It was definitely not right for my skin. I know this foundation is recommended by many other bloggers, I can see it being great for dryer skin types (I'll take it home for my Mum to try out!), but it really isn't for me. It sunk into my pores (I have quite deep ones on my cheeks, just under my eyes), really exaggerating them - not a good look! It also made my skin feel quite greasy, which isn't a great feeling when you've got skin already prone to this feeling!

On my first trial of Pro-longwear I was disappointed with the coverage, but upon trying it again (...after purchasing Double Wear) I am actually quite impressed with it! It definitely needs a bit more building up than Studio Fix to achieve the coverage I like best, but it last longer than Studio Fix before starting to become cakey looking (I think this is the result of the greasier parts of my skin ruining the finish of the foundation gradually over the day!). It is a good foundation. I would actually buy it if I wanted a slightly less expensive option than Double Wear. But it doesn't control the oilier parts of my skin quite as well.

When I first applied Double wear in Ecru, I expected it to look far to dark and orange for me. I was pleasantly surprised though, as I blended it in it actually matched my colouring very well. It mattifyed my skin brilliantly (as you can probably tell, I really like a matte finish to my skin!) and after a day at uni it still looked exactly as it did before leaving the house! I was really blown away.

I did trial it for about 3 days before purchasing, as my skin is sensitive / easily aggravated and although many companies make claims that their products are non-acnegenic / dermatologist tested, they don't always live up to what they should! However, this hasn't been the case (so far) with Double Wear. I, personally, won't be wearing it every day as I don't always like having such heavy coverage just to pop to the shops or what have you.

Double Wear in Ecru, applied with ELF powder brush with powder and blush. Photographs really nicely! (Excuse the lack of make-up! I'm in such a rush these days before heading off to lectures!)

I went out and purchased Double Wear after a few days of trying it. I picked it up in Boots for about £26. It's handy that Boots have Estee Lauder counters in their larger stores, as you can collect Advantage Card points on your (pricey) branded cosmetics purchases!

If you have a similar skin type to mine and want a long lasting foundation, I would really recommend trying out Double Wear for a couple of days. Just pop to your local Estee Lauder counter and ask for a sample / a shade match. It is quite pricey, especially on a student budget, but if you know you're busy all day and don't want to have the bother of re-apply your foundation / powder regularly, then Double Wear is such a great option. I will still be using Studio Fix on the days where I don't need such staying power, but Double Wear has impressed me more than expected!

I got a sample of the Estee Lauder double wear light last time I was out shopping, I always ask for samples of the high end foundations so you know if you like it before spending £20+ on something you might not get on with x

I really want to try the MAC foundation, but I have heard it is bad for oily skin which I have! So I may try the Estee Lauder, or a Clinique foundation..which are more suitable!http://oliviadollydaydream.blogspot.com/

Well I would say Pro-longwear is worth a shot on oilier skin types if you wanted give a MAC liquid foundation a go at some point? Studio Fix isn't too bad for oily skin but it isn't super long wearing.Worth picking up a tester for Pro-longwear if you have a MAC nearby - I'm growing to really like it as a medium coverage! I can't say I've tried Clinique foundations in the past couple of years - so let me know how you get on as I'd be really interested to know :). But definitely give Estee Lauder Double Wear a go - really does help control oil! xx

For MAC, there are MAC stores here in the UK and today I came across a MAC counter in a department store. Here we can get Estee Lauder samples from department stores with their counters. Check the companies websites - wherever they have a store or counter you SHOULD be able to get samples. I say SHOULD becuase with some counters within small shops that carry brands such as NARS I've found they can't give out samples, which is really annoying. My rule with foundation is if they won't give out a sample, don't buy it! Hope this is somewhat useful - sorry I can't be specific as I'm from the UK xx